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Author: Donald Anderson

How to Replace Glass in a Single-Pane Window in a Basement

So you want to save money on Glass Repair Services. Whether you’re just looking for a modern upgrade or if there is a dangerous break, it’s important that replacing the glass in your windowpane is a task best completed in a timely and safe manner, with emphasis on safe! We strongly recommend you consult a professional if you have any doubts in your own ability to replace the glass. Even if you feel confident enough, remember to wear heavy-duty work gloves, safety glasses, sturdy boots, and a helmet or hard hat. Set up a mat underneath the window to contain any stray shards, and if you can get a good grip, use a towel to hold the glass edges so you’re not risking any lacerations to your palms. Now that you’re ready, let’s break it down:

Glass Replacement Step 1

First, remove any and all broken glass. Dispose carefully in a sealed container. Use slow, controlled, steady movements, and understand that those edges are sharp!
If you do not already have your replacement glass pane, measure the size of the opening of the window as exactly as possible. Some glass companies will expect you to subtract 1/8 of an inch when placing an order, so keep that in mind.
If the window frame is made of metal or of vinyl, use pliers or a screwdriver to remove the sling splines or spring clips, depending on the frame. Insert the replacement glass and reattach the splines or clips, replacing them if they are old or damaged.

Put in the Fixed Glass Step 2

All done! Pat yourself on the back for being so brave and strong.
If the window frame is made of wood, this requires a bit more maintenance. Use a chisel or a putty knife to carefully remove old putty, and use pliers or a glazing tool to remove the metal spikes beneath the putty in the corners of the frame. Gently sand the frame and apply a coat of linseed oil or similar woodworking oil before applying a thin layer glazing compound all around the frame. Press the new glass into the frame, and while it is held in place, insert the metal points back into the corners, and drive new ones into the wood every few inches all around the glass. Then, take a long, thin strip of glazing compound and push it into place around the edges into the space between the frame and the new pane. Smooth it out with the blade of the glazing tool, and you’re done! Just let the compound sit for a week before painting or messing with the frame any further.

Single Pane Complete Window Glass Repair

How did you do? Do you have a generations-old family secret regarding the best way to replace a single-pane window? Are you feeling proud of yourself? We’re definitely happy for you! All it takes is some patience and elbow grease, but it’s not an especially complicated job. Just remember to keep the kids out of the way – your glazing tools are not toys! And again, if you ever feel like it’s too much, call up a professional. Don’t risk your health and safety for a window. Good luck!

Kitchen Remodel Ideas for this years top trends

Looking to redo your kitchen but you don’t know where to start? Look no further! We’ve put together a short guide of ideas for you to play around with. If you pay attention to the following focal areas and put your own unique spin on them, your old outdated kitchen will be looking brand new in no time! Have this information ready when calling a local kitchen remodeling company near you.

Appliance kitchen remodel ideas

This should be your first priority since the appliances control how you handle and prepare your food. Luckily, they come in all sorts of different styles, often without breaking your budget. A chic red or purple coffeemaker can add a fun, bold splash of color against your stainless steel oven, fridge, microwave, and dishwasher. Or you could go for the classic white metal for a lighter, cleaner look. At the end of the day, though, don’t sacrifice efficiency for aesthetic!

The walls for your home renovation

What color are your walls? Do they make the room feel light and welcoming or dark and drab? A good rule of thumb is to stay away from darker colors in smaller rooms, as they can feel a bit claustrophobic. Also, having the ceiling painted white is a good way to open up the space. If you don’t feel like surrounding yourself with beige, you can take a risk and pick a green, blue, or red tone for some fun. If you keep the trim and accents neutral, the bolder color won’t seem as overwhelming. It’s also suggested that you steer clear of busy wallpapers. Those can make the room feel much more cluttered, and over time are almost guaranteed to peel off.

Countertops and backsplash options for home rehabs

Again, if you’re surrounded by beige and cream colors, you might find yourself slowly going stir-crazy. It’s also not necessarily true that darker countertops will hide stains better. Hard water or grease stains often catch the light, and this will make them stand out even more against dark counters, so keep that in mind when you’re choosing. A tiled backsplash can make a big difference in terms of pulling the room together. Just be sure to color-coordinate.

Details: cabinets, lighting, storage, and more questions for bathroom and kitchen remodeling

Changing up little things around your kitchen can give it a completely different look. You don’t need to replace your shelving units and flooring for it to feel brand new. Décor such as curtains can really pull the room together, and changing out your lighting fixtures (and bulbs!) can as well. You might even consider swapping out your flip light switch for a dimmer – it’s inexpensive and easy to do, and will make your home feel much more modern. If your cabinets are boring you, a new coat of paint and some funky new knobs can be just the thing – or you could remove the doors entirely for some easy-access shelves. The possibilities are endless!

The furniture.
Last but not least, consider updating your table and chairs. Adding new seat cushions or a new tablecloth can be a fun upgrade without having to worry about buying a brand new set. And if you have any wiggle room, you could always consider changing the layout of the room and moving the furniture to different positions. Have fun with it!

Benefits of Kitchen Renovation

While some of us love interior design, to others, home renovation can seem like a chore instead of a hobby. If your current kitchen is in drastic need of a kitchen remodel, but you just can’t bring yourself to start planning for it, here are some points for you to keep in mind and reassure you that redoing your kitchen will be absolutely worth it.

Why you should renovate your kitchen

You’ll feel better about your home in general, not just your kitchen.

It’s not a very good feeling to dislike the look of your home. You live there, so you see it every day. In many ways, your home is a reflection of you, and many people would argue that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Even if you’re not a gourmet chef, preparing food and sharing it with your loved ones is always a special experience. With a fresh new kitchen, you’ll have more pride in your home – and maybe this will lead to inviting more friends over to share a few meals. What more do you need?

How important is Kitchen Safety

It will be safer and more comfortable for the whole family.

You don’t need to be a doctor or a restaurant worker to understand the importance of food safety, health, and hygiene. If your oven, fridge, or any appliance starts to fail, it’s important to repair or replace it quickly, or your risk eating undercooked or otherwise spoiled food. Additionally, if your flooring is out of date, peeling up, or heaving due to moisture, kids and older folks could easily slip and fall. Even storage is important to consider: would you keep your collection of steak knives in the same drawer as the kid’s plastic cutlery, and the strong cleaning chemicals in the same cabinet as cookies and crackers? Definitely not.

Great Design Ideas for Kitchen Remodel

The updated kitchen will be much easier to maintain organization and keep clean.

When you redo a room, you’ll often be so pleased with the outcome that you’ll be especially careful about keeping it clean. Eventually, as you get used to the new look, that honeymoon feeling will fade, and you won’t mind the few dust bunnies or countertop stains. However, updating your kitchen often brings with it a new sense of storage and organization. Once you de-clutter, you’ll have more counter space and floor space, which will make it easier to keep clean. If you redo your cabinets or pantry, you’ll find that keeping everything in its proper place has become almost second nature.

At the end of the day, the most important thing to keep in mind is the safety and comfort of your family, and this includes spending your money wisely. If your heart really longs for a showy, state-of-the-art kitchen, you might have to cut some corners to make ends meet, but since your home is unique to your family, you’re guaranteed to still love your new kitchen once you personalize it, even if it doesn’t look like the homes you see on TV. So try to have fun with it and keep an open mind. You won’t know how much you’ll love it until you finally have it!

How to insulate your basement with Spray Foam

Basements are a great place to hang around and have fun, but if your area is not properly sealed not only will it affect the temperature but also your bills!

Because they mistakenly believe that the soil outside does the insulating for them, many people don’t insulate their basement walls. Soil is not a good insulator and heat loss from your basement can account for over one third of the total heat loss from your home.

Done properly, basement spray foam insulation will not only reduce energy loss, but it will make your basement better, drier and much more comfortable.

The 2 best ways to insulate your basement is to hit both sides, interior and exterior.

For interior basement insulation, you can use any of the main types of home interior insulation, including fiber glass, rigid foam board and spray foam . Having a metal or wood frame of studs will help support the insulation and give you a place to attach drywall or wood.

You should install a moisture barrier over the bare wall before adding the stud frame and insulation. Add a sealed barrier over the installed frame and insulation before adding drywall and plywood.

For exterior basement insulation, you must excavate the soil around your home so you can get to the outside surfaces of your basement walls. Cover the entire surface of the wall with a layer of waterproof material before adding spray foam insulation. Metal flashing and a protective cover must be installed over the insulation to make sure moisture does not get between the basement and the insulation wall.

Before installing any kind of basement insulation, you need to fix any cracks, leaks or other moisture problems. Moisture can seriously damage your finished basement and the problem is far more difficult and expensive to fix after a basement is finished.

On the inside, moisture and vapour barriers will help reduce condensation, but they do not prevent water leaking through wall cracks. A basement waterproofing system is the best way to make sure you do not have moisture problems from any source.

On the outside, install a drainage system when insulating the wall. Again, waterproofing your basement will protect you from water damage.

Man Cave Ideas for a bad ass basement

Many man caves are located in home basements or garage rooms, these are two spots that are often male domains to begin with so expressing your man cave ideas here will be met with little contempt. Garages are known to make great man cave domiciles, since they are often detached from the house and are spacious enough to accommodate several friends and lots of great man cave accessories. Just Hope you have good Air Conditioning or some windows that open. No matter what location is chosen for one’s man cave, it’s always a good idea to bounce any man cave ideas off friends first, since they too will be enjoying the fruits of your labor.

Man Cave Furniture Ideas

A man cave is not a man cave without its share of tables. Pool Tables, bars, poker tables? We’re not talking about just any ordinary tables for your man cave. When it comes time to settling bets or accepting a doubledare, there’s no better way to find out who can truly call himself the Boss of the Man Cave than a good game of beer pong.

While tables are critical to having a place that others will envy, the best man caves often begin with the biggest TVs. As more fans opt to stay home and enjoy the game rather than venture out to a stadium, televisions are becoming more and more important. With HD being the normal thing with today’s TV’s, fans in a man cave can sit back in a recliner and watch the game on a wide-screen television measuring 50 inches or more.

Sitting Home in your basement in comfort

Who wants to sit outside in temperatures below zero or 100 degree weather when they can sit in a warm room with a slice of pizza or in nice AC when everyone else is sweating their balls off. Many man caves are filled PCs and game consoles but the television is still the center piece around which many manly dens are built.

Man cave home bars are designed with many different themes in mind. Some bars are even made to fold up and be out of sight when not in use, although in most man caves the bar is rarely not in use. Once you have your man cave home bar in place next you need to stock the bar with beer and other good stuff.

Once the man cave is outfitted with the right stuff, it’s time to make sure everyone knows what lies behind closed doors. Man cave signs can not only direct friends and family your way, but also show an aspect of your personality. Signs can be customized with your name, along with perhaps a favorite saying of yours. Many man cave signs resemble those found outside pubs and bars, often displaying a beer mug full of draft beer. But if you really want to make sure your man cave draws the attention it deserves, getting a neon sign is the way to go. Often looking like marquee signs found outside movie theaters, these signs can also be customized with your name and other wording. They can also be made in your team’s favorite colors, with the neon lights displaying your team spirit.

Electric Window Repair Tips

The most obvious fault with electric windows is that they fail to operate. If the problem occurs on all windows you can be pretty sure that the fault is in the main wiring circuit, and this is also the region to check first even if the problem is restricted to just one window. Try listening to see if you can hear the motor operating – if it is, but the window does not move, the problem lies in the mechanical linkage.

Jerky or slow operation and mechanical noise point to a problem with the mechanism, window guides or drive motor of the window concerned – the fact that the window is partially working shows that the electric circuit is complete.

Jamming part way through the motion is probably due to the window or the mechanism guides, and if there are rattles from the door the window guides may be loose.

Keep it safe

As with all electrical equipment you need to take care when making tests to ensure that you do not short the power supply to earth. The circuits for electric windows are designed to carry very high currents so a lot of damage could be caused before the protecting fuse blows.

To avoid the risk of accidentally operating the winder motor while you are dismantling the window mechanism, disconnect the battery leads before you start work.

If you need to operate the window as part of your checks, take particular care to make sure that nothing gets trapped– the scissor action of a typical lever mechanism could easily remove the end of a finger.

Erratic operation, with the window working perfectly sometimes and then playing up, is most likely due to an intermittent electrical fault, such as a loose connection.

Check the fuse

If the windows refuse to operate, most window circuits are protected by a fuse or cutout in the supply line and this is the first place to check. With some arrangements a single fuse in the main supply line is used to protect the complete window system so a failure here affects all the windows. Other cars have individual fuses for each window motor so failure will only affect the one window.

In some cars the fuse is in the main fuse box but many makers use in-line fuses so check with your manual to find where the fuse is and replace it if blown. Instead of a fuse the system may be fitted with a circuit breaker.

Test the window. If it works properly the fuse probably blew (or the cutout tripped) due to a temporary overload. If the new fuse blows immediately you will have to investigate further.

Power supply check

Generally the power for the window circuits (which draw a large current) is supplied direct from the battery through a relay (or relays) actuated by turning the ignition on. Find the relay position from your car handbook.

If there isn’t any the problem lies in the wiring from the ignition switch. Test the output side of the relay – current means the relay is faulty and should be replaced, otherwise the problem lies in the control switches, the motor or the wiring itself.

How to properly seal a vinyl retrofit window

These days a lot of homeowners are replacing their old windows with vinyl windows using the retrofit style of window frame. This is particularly true in the west, and specifically, in California. The number one arguement that I have heard against using the retrofit method, is that it is susceptible to water leaks. Well, that’s true if you don’t do it properly. But, if you do a complete tearout of your old window down to the studs, you’re going to have water leak issues there as well if you don’t install the new window properly. I think that arguement is, well, all wet. Let me tell you the best way to install your retrofit windows that will ensure that water can not get in.

How to Install Retrofit Vinyl Windows

If you are installing retrofit frames against a stucco house, you want to put a thick bead of sealant right on the outside face of the old window frame, all the way around. You are going to use 1-3 tubes per window, depending on the size. Here is a trick that I used to do to save a little money; The most vulnerable part of your installation is the top of the window, because gravity will have the water running down from the roof to the ground.
After you have the window completely installed, your final step should be to caulk where the retrofit lip meets the stucco. Here again, I used to use white silicone on the top, and caulk on the sides and bottom. You now have a double barrier against water infiltration. After about a week, check the sealant around each window for signs of cracking. There could have been gaps that were larger in some areas than in others because stucco is usually uneven. If you don’t force the caulk into the gap to completely fill it, the caulk can sag before drying, causing a crack to form. Simply recaulk over any cracks that you see. You can check the silicone on top as well, but because silicone dries like a rubber substance, you shouldn’t see any cracks there. OK, what if the replacement windows are going between wood trim surrounding the opening? If you are using the retrofit lip, and trimming it to fit between the wood, then you still apply the heavy bead to the old frame before installing the window. Instead of sealing where the retrofit lip meets the stucco, you seal where it meets the wood. You want to be sure to seal above the window, where the top piece of wood meets the stucco. Again, use silicone up there. Now, no water can run down the stucco wall and get under the top piece of wood.

Sometimes, though, you might decide not to use a retrofit style frame between the wood, choosing a block replacement frame instead. You still want to apply the sealant to the old frame, then apply your trim so it contacts the new window as well as the sealant on the old frame.

How to take out Windows With Metal Frames

This week we are going to talk about the process of actually removing your aluminum windows in preparation for installing vinyl replacement windows. Let’s start with a horizontal sliding window, which is pretty common nationwide. There is going to be a sliding panel and a stationary panel. You want to remove the slider. All you do is slide the panel open, grab the sides of the panel with your hands, lift up and swing out. Under ideal circumstances, it would be that easy. There are small obstacles that can prevent you from lifting out the panel.

If this is an emergency window issue then call a local emergency glass contractor.

It prevents you from lifting out the panel because it’s wedged between the top of the window panel and the top of the upper track. If you can see that the window panel isn’t lifting all the way up in the top track, and the top rollers are not the reason, then you have to dig out that rubber piece. It’s usually at the point in the center, where the sliding panel and fixed panel overlap when the window is closed.

Take out the screen once you have the slider out. You can just pull it out. No need to be gentle since you’re throwing it away anyway. The last step is the fixed panel removal. There are a few different applications here. All of them will have a center vertical bar. It’s usually there to accept the locking mechanism on the slider, but not always. Look for screws holding this center bar in place. They will either be on the outside top and bottom, or you might find them on the side channel where the screen would go. Check the top and bottom corners.

Now, pull the fixed panel away from the side where it rests in the side channel. You might see clips for window balancers for double hung windows. What you are trying to do is slide the fixed panel open the same way that you did the sliding panel. You can put a screw driver into the side channel and pry the fixed panel away from the side.

Now, let’s go back to the vertical center bar and assume you didn’t find any screws to remove it. That means the fixed piece of glass doesn’t have a frame around it. It’s glazed in with either silicone, caulk, or double foam tape. You have to take out the glass, then cut the center bar out using a reciprocating saw. Usually, there will be “stops” on the outside to help keep the fixed piece of glass in place. There will be 4 of them, one on top, bottom, and each side. You should be able to just pry them out with a screw driver. You can go inside and cut away the adhesive holding the glass in the frame. Use a utility knife and cut between the glass and frame. Wear gloves, and be careful not to put your hand through the glass. Put a sheet or tarp outside and let the glass fall into it. You could also have a helper stand on a ladder above the glass and try grabbing the top edge as you cut it away from the frame. Have your helper also wear gloves. The reason for the ladder is that you want to be above the glass in case it has a little crack that you can’t see. As soon as you grab the glass, the crack will run across to the opposite edge, and suddenly you will find yourself trying to hold multiple pieces of glass at the same time. Being on the ladder, if the glass “runs”, you let go. After the glass is out, cut the bottom portion of the center bar flush with the bottom track. You can wiggle the bar back and forth to break the top screw free. You can apply this removal process to picture windows that have no sliding panel. Just treat it like you did the fixed portion, without having to remove a center bar.

Home Improvement Rules to Follow

Even though home improvement is pretty straightforward most of the time, it is important to carefully follow instructions in order to successfully complete a home improvement task. Home improvement is clear-cut, but takes patience and requires that you follow instructions to the detail.

When repairing or remodeling, it is imperative that you closely follow the instructions. Written instructions will provide you with the steps to correctly complete the project and avoid problems. And make sure to keep any receipts for materials and tools you buy incase you need to exchange the merchandise or return.

The first rule of home improvement is to learn as much as you can before starting a project. If you are planning on hanging drywall in a room in your home, you need to know exactly what materials you will need, in addition to the steps used to complete the job. You will also need to know what about wallpaper, tiles, paint, or other materials to finish a wall job.

Most any home improvement job will increase the value of your home. That is why it is important to be very methodical when you start a home improvement project; you should take notes, create files, and plan every step of the job.

Budgeting and planning are two other important steps in any home improvement project. If you do not have a plan, you will likely spend more money than you need to, buy the wrong materials, take longer to complete the project, and make errors along the way.

Depending on the type of home improvement project you are planning, it could be rather straightforward. However, some home improvement projects are easier than others. Ease of completion does not equal less cost, however.

For wall improvement projects, tile, paint and panel are sometimes easier than wallpapering. Tiles come in multiple choices, including self-adhesive, or peel and stick. If you have damage to your walls, such as holes, you will require spackle and a few other materials to patch the area before finishing the walls.

When remodeling a basement or repairing, the same rules apply and then some. Michigan and Kentucky basements are known to be the worst for home improvement, mostly because those areas are highly prone to flooding. Improvement or repair projects in basements often require special considerations for insulation, and can often cost more money and require a little more time to complete a job. Basements in newer home tend to have fewer problems, thanks to advances in construction.

Making improvements or repairs in a bathroom requires a whole unique set of tools and knowledge. Dealing with plumbing and electrical issues are the trickiest parts of home improvement, because they often require a certain level of expertise, and even professionals have been known to make mistakes. That is why educating yourself before beginning a home improvement or repair project is imperative.

A big rule to follow in home improvement is to clear whatever area you are working in completely before beginning the job. This will prevent accidents and things from getting damaged or destroyed. It is also imperative that you use safety equipment, such as dust masks, gloves, and goggles when doing any kind of home improvement or repair project.

Emergency glass repairs can only be done when the broken glass to be replaced is either a plate glass window, or a standard tempered glass window.

Regarding residential glass repairs, if the window glass to be repaired is plate glass, the glass company can cut size the window glass to fit the opening on site. You will have to wait 3 to 4 days until your window repair can be delivered if you have an insulated window.

You will need an emergency board service until glass repair service can be installed. Patio door glass or any door glass for the fact by law needs to be safety glass. Safety glass can be either tempered glass, or laminated glass in which case tempered glass will have to be ordered and usually takes 2 to 3 business days to receive.

Some tempered patio door windows are standard sized, and are stocked by emergency glass services. When the patio door glass is insulated more variables come into place when determining whether or not the broken glass repair can be done immediately or not. Grids patterns need to be matched, also identifying if the broken glass is low-e or not can cause delays in getting your door glass repaired.

If the overall dimensions and thickness of the broken window glass are off even by the tiniest fraction, the glass repair service can be compromised. If the new door glass window is too small the glass will not seal to the frame, and water will leak through the opening causing water damage.

Finding an emergency glass service that is actually an emergency glass company can be difficult. You may find yourself calling a bunch of telephone numbers, and leaving messages. Call The Board Up Company. We will discuss your emergency window repair options to see if an emergency glass repair is even on option. We’ll save you valuable time, and if an emergency window glass repair is an option, we will gladly give you some emergency glass company telephone numbers that actually answer their calls.

The Board up Company will provide you with an emergency board up until glass repairs can be scheduled if you can’t get your window repaired right away.

Commercial Glass Repairs

Commercial Board Up Service Usually emergency commercial glass repairs can not be done safely after normal business hours.

Emergency commercial glass repairs can only be done when the broken glass to be replaced is either a plate glass window, or a standard tempered glass window.

Regarding commercial glass repairs, if the window glass to be repaired is plate glass, the glass company can cut size the window glass to fit the opening on site.

You will have to wait 3 to 4 days until your window repair can be delivered if you have an insulated window. You will need an emergency board up until the glass repair service can receive the glass to install.

Any door glass by law needs to be safety glass. Safety glass can be either tempered glass, or laminated glass in which case tempered glass will have to be ordered and usually takes 2 to 3 business days to receive. If your door glass is not a standard size, you may opt for laminated glass unless you have a mail slot in the door.

Any broken glass to be repaired that is set within 18″ of the ground will have to be tempered, or laminated.

Commercial Board Up ServiceAny broken glass that is set next to a door will also need to be safety glass.
Tempered windows will take about 2 to 3 days to receive. You will need an emergency board up service until that time.

The measurement of the glass thickness and spacer thickness in the window glass frame has to be precise. The glass repair service can be compromised if the overall dimensions and thickness of the broken window glass are off even by the tiniest fraction. , if the new door glass window is too big it will not fit into the frame.. If the new door glass window is too small the glass will not seal to the frame, and water will leak through the opening causing water damage.

Finding an emergency glass service that is actually an emergency glass company can be difficult. We’ll save you valuable time, and if an emergency window glass repair is an option, we will gladly give you some emergency glass company telephone numbers that actually answer their calls.